Marine's Misused Chokehold Technique at Heart of NYC Subway Death Trial

During a crucial part of Daniel Penny's manslaughter trial, a Marine combat instructor said that Penny, 25, seemed to use a military chokehold method on Jordan Neely on a New York City subway, which killed Neely.

Joseph Caballer, Penny's trainer, said that Penny had been taught that a chokehold should be removed once the person is unconscious. Caballer said, "Holding on longer can cause serious harm or death."Penny, a former Marine, is on trial for killing Neely in May. Neely was homeless and had a history of mental health and drug abuse problems. Penny calmed Neely down because he was being violent.

A video taken by a bystander showed Penny holding Neely for almost six minutes, even after it looked like Neely was asleep.

Caballer said that Penny's move, a "blood choke," is meant to knock someone out without killing them. But he said in court that the long-term application probably played a role in Neely's death. The defense says Penny only wanted to restrain Neely and not kill him, and they question what part Neely's health problems played.

People in New York and across the country are divided on the case. Some praise Penny as a guardian, while others call him a reckless vigilante.

Conservatives and people who support racial justice have disagreed about what the trial means.

The trial has brought up questions of race, mental health, and public safety in urban transit settings.